When I share my story, I do it for my children and my late mother. For my children, I share my story with the hope that it will protect their freedom to make their own reproductive choices. For my mother, a pro-choice activist who died when I was young, I share my story and fight for abortion access in order to feel closer to her. I want people choosing abortion at any age and for any reason to feel less alone in their choice. I want to help affirm people’s life decisions and let them know that they are powerful. As a board member of Chicago Abortion Fund, it is also important for me to amplify the voices and needs of our callers and to work on their behalf for reproductive justice.

I had an abortion was shortly after my mother died. I was reeling from her death when I found out I was pregnant. Having a baby was not how I was going to heal from the trauma of losing a parent. I knew I needed an abortion immediately. I didn’t have money for my procedure; … Continue reading →